Hafiz to join BAM after settling personal matters

No challenge too big: Mohd Hafiz Hashim will most probably be one of the women’s singles coaches.

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Hafiz Hashim is not expected to rejoin the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) as women’s singles coach immediately.

The 34-year-old former national shuttler met BAM technical director Morten Frost yesterday and conceded that he needed more time to get his affairs in order before focusing on coaching.

“This is just my first meeting with Morten and nothing is confirmed yet,” said 2003 All-England champion Hafiz, who failed to land a coaching role with Scotland last year.

“I still have a contract with my sponsor Apacs as a player. I need to inform them properly of my intention to switch to coaching.

“I also have another commitment with a club in China and that runs until September. I need to sort this one out too.

“But I am ready to be a coach. I’ve been thinking about hanging up my racquet for good ... that’s why I offered my services to BAM.

“Although nothing is confirmed yet, I can say that the meeting with Morten went well ... there should be a second meeting and hopefully we can finalise things then.”

Hafiz, who also set up the Jaguh Tangkis Badminton Club (JTBC) in 2013 and played for Petaling Jaya Badminton Club (PJBC) in the Purple League, admitted that it would be a challenge becoming a women’s singles coach.

“From what I’ve seen, our women’s singles department is still lacking quite a bit,” said Hafiz.

“They need more work to raise their level and to achieve results in competitions. Maybe a more systematic programme will help raise their performance.”

Tey Seu Bock is the new women’s singles head coach following the BAM’s coaching restructure last week. Indonesian Rony Agustinus is the assistant coach.